Nintendo discusses advertising plans for Zelda: A Link Between Worlds in the UK

Nintendo is planning a big UK TV marketing campaign for Super Mario 3D World. In addition, the company will be promoting The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, which launches on the same day – November 22.

Expect to see TV ads starting at launch up through December 25th. Nintendo has also looked into ads for specialist websites and social media.

UK product manager Roger Langford told MCV:

“The Legend of Zelda series is a cornerstone franchise for us and always performs very positively. We achieved some great results with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D in 2011. With the increased Nintendo 3DS install base as well as seasonality we are confident in A Link between Worlds being a top seller on Nintendo 3DS.

“To herald the Launch of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds we will have a substantial marketing campaign both pre and post launch. We will also have bespoke activity aimed at a kids audience showcasing the characters and ingenious gameplay.”

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Asturias_Knytt

Kids audience? -_________-

Rodrigo Coelho Costa Junior

according to them, next year is our year, so hold on tight!

Asturias_Knytt

Even though I love Windwaker’s look we better not get screwed like that again with Zelda Wii U. Before the fan-boys come at me with clenched e-fists, I don’t want realism as realism is limiting. I just want a style that allows the developers to express a multitude of themes and tones. When I think about that I’m reminded of some of Miyazaki’s early works.

sonicfan1373

To be honest I would not mind seeing the Twilight Princess style of graphics again (which is the same style shown in the Wii U tech-demo at E3 2011). The reason is because I do not believe that style really worked on the Wii (due to its hardware limitations) and I feel it can really shine on an HD console with the ability to use more detailed textures, etc. I am not opposed to cel-shading (in fact I really like WindWaker’s style because it allowed for a greater expression and exaggeration of emotions through facial expressions, but I do not want to see it in the next console Zelda because I really want a game that does the Twilight Princess style justice.

sonicfan1373

Advertising to children is not bad and it does not mean the game should not be played by teens or adults. In fact, Nintendo needs to focus more on kids than adults because teens and adults who grew-up with Nintendo consoles know what Zelda is and hence it will only take a few trailers and maybe a small ad (even if it is aimed at children) for them to realize what this game and whether or not they want it. Children on the other hand might not have had experience with Nintendo systems or the Zelda franchise (in fact, various data usage surveys have found that most children experience gaming for the first time inexpensive digital media devices, smartphones, tablets, etc) and hence they are going to need more convincing. This is not that different from Nintendo’s strategy in the 1980s, 1990s because the same challenge of getting kids to get the console was present then as well (although at that time most kids had their first gaming experiences on microcomputers [PCs]). The important thing to take away from my long comment is that the kids and today will become the teens and adults of tomorrow and Nintendo as well as other gaming companies need to hook them in while they are young or else they will lose an important demographic later.

Rodrigo Coelho Costa Junior

you are absolutely right

Asturias_Knytt

I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I just feel Nintendo have been neglecting other areas of their fan-base in an ambitiously naive and/or perhaps even arrogant attempt to satisfy everyone. This has brought a lull in games aimed at, shall we say, weathered gamers and Nintendo have dully shifted their business model by cause and effect. That’s a venture that’s bound to grate on long term fans who are not looking for yet another Mario or Zelda title with a new coat of HD paint, but something which brings forth new concepts. If I could use a time-machine and bring back one thing from the Golden Era it would be the ‘challenge’ present in Nintendo games back then. This game is supposedly more challenging and a throwback to that age where Nintendo games didn’t hold your your hand so I look forward to the freedom ALBW should present.